Rôle du récepteur β3-adrénergique dans le métabolisme des lipides

The role of the newly discovered β 3 -adrenergic receptor in the control of lipid metabolism in brown and white adipocytes was studied using a variety of catecholamine agonists or antagonists. β 3 agonists stimulate lipolysis to produce free fatty acids which are converted into heat by the process of thermogenesis which occurs in brown adipocytes. To further analyze the physiology of such cells, human adipocytes were immortalized and maintained in culture. The cells constitute useful tools to study the effect of new β 3 selective compounds on lipolysis and thermogenesis.